AnElephantCant help but worry
He does not want to let his friend down
He hopes sweet Nightlake
Has not made a mistake
Līgo Haībun Challenge is no place for a clown
AnElephant is invited to the Līgo Haībun Challenge. The topic for this week (until 19th April) is Peace.
“Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves.”
A quote by William Hazlittm found by Nightlake – http://call2read.com/2013/04/13/ligo-haibun-challenge-peace/
The format here for the Līgo Haībun Challenge is as follows:
A paragraph (more than one paragraph is fine, or just a few sentences) in prose form
and
* the haiku/collection of haiku related to the text to close.
The haiku should be as authentic as possible, with therefore no syllable count, no capitals or full stop, all ideally making 220 word max.
The Unknown Soldier
The Great Peace
The pain surprises him.
The rain falls steadily, but is not the cause of the pain.
The wind blows briskly, but is not the cause of the pain.
He pauses and looks around the small cemetery, one out of around 940 in France and Belgium.
It is the cause of his pain.
It contains the graves of 1262 British, 4 Canadian and 29 German soldiers and airmen.
There is no segregation by rank or nationality, and each grave is immaculately tended.
They are arranged in chronological order of death.
The peace is in sharp contrast to those bloody days less than 100 years ago.
The days when this part of Northern France was the world’s battlefield, with men coming from all parts of the planet to die here.
The Great War.
He almost smiles at the oxymoron.
But finds he cannot.
Because of the tears in his eyes and the lump in his throat.
the great war
is the war to end all wars
flowers grow in tears
Sound Bite Fiction 
Pingback: Ligo Haibun Challenge – Photo Prompt | call2read
your haiku is beautiful and that’s a great photo you chose to accompany this very well-written haibun
LikeLike
Your words are very kind, thank you for them and your visit.
LikeLike
Love that haiku – beautiful.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, very happy that you enjoyed.
LikeLike
Great and sad… a war to end all wars is the worst…
LikeLike
Sadly did not live up to its billing ……
LikeLike
Wonderful haibun. Great haiku, closing line excellent.
LikeLike
Many thanks for very kind words.
May try it again!
LikeLike
Thank you. A poignant reminder of the nature of humans. You have written an excellent haibun and are a natural when it comes to writing in this style/format. Outstanding artistic merit. Penny
LikeLike
High praise from Penny.
AnElephant is grateful and happy.
LikeLike
Very nice take on the challenge! An interesting read. Liked your haiku too! 🙂 Eric
LikeLike
Thank you, sir, for your words and your visit.
LikeLike
What a touching piece! ‘Flowers grow in tears..’a powerful write-up. The haiku has done full justice to the prose preceding it. Thank you so much for contributing, Elephant.
LikeLike
Thank you for inviting me.
I am glad I did not disappoint you.
LikeLike
Je n’ai pas de mots.
Flowers grow in tears
Les Fleurs du mal
Plus qu’emouvant.
LikeLike
Merci, cherie, pas de mots, mais toujours gentille.
LikeLike
Pingback: The Līgo Haībun Challenge – Peace | Alastair's Blog
That is a very moving piece. No rhyme for reply on this one as it demands respect.
Well done my friend
LikeLike
Thank you, Alastair. Some things defy humour.
LikeLike
echoing my mood
tears and a lump in the throat
flowers ease pain
Thank you anelephant x
LikeLike
You are always welcome, MyBeautifulFriend. Hugs
LikeLike